alf provider covid-19 webinar with ltcr slides 12...dec 09, 2020  · handout 2 a pdf version of...

Welcome to theALF Provider

COVID-19 Webinar with LTCR

December 9, 2020

Handout

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A pdf version of this presentation is available in the Handout section of your control panel. Save the file to your computer to view or print later.

CDC Updated Quarantine Guidance

The CDC has updated quarantine protocol guidance that applies to residents who have unknown COVID-19, including a resident who:• is a new admission or readmission• has spent one or more nights away from

the facility• has had known exposure or close

contact with a person who is COVID-19 positive

This guidance DOES NOT apply to COVID-19 positive residents or residents displaying signs and symptoms of COVID-19.

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CDC Updated Quarantine Guidance

The CDC still endorses the 14-day quarantine period, but has also provided alternate options:• 10-day quarantine, without testing• 7-day quarantine, with a negative

COVID-19 test result on or after day 5

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CDC Updated Quarantine Guidance

ALFs should work with their local health departments (or DSHS region if there is no local health department) to determine which quarantine options may be used with staff and residents. See CDC’s When to Quarantine for more information.

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CDC Antigen TestingThe CDC has changed their guidance about antigen tests. According to their website, the changes include:• The word “rapid” has been deleted

because FDA has authorized laboratory-based antigen tests.

• New section on processing of antigen tests, reflecting what has been learned on how to minimize the risk of false results.

• Revised section on evaluating the results of antigen tests, introducing a new testing algorithm, and reflecting what has been learned about the performance of antigen tests and the need to implement confirmatory testing.

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VaccinationIs vaccination required for staff?The COVID-19 vaccine cannot be mandated through state or federal rules since the vaccine is approved through the FDA’s emergency use authorization (EUA).Facilities have the ability to make COVID-19 vaccination a condition of employment; however, any facility that wishes to impose a requirement for staff to be vaccinated for COVID-19 should consult their legal counsel and human resource professionals.

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Vaccine ResourcesQuestions related to the Pharmacy Partnership for LTC Program: eocevent494@cdc.gov

CDC webpage for the Pharmacy Partnership for LTC Program with FAQs for providers:https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/covid-19/long-term-care/pharmacy-partnerships.html

Questions regarding COVID-19 vaccine registration can be sent to COVID-19 Registration Support:• Email: COVID19VacEnroll@dshs.texas.gov• Toll-Free: (877) 835-7750

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Pharmacy Partnershipfor LTC Program

When it is time to schedule on-site clinics, CVS or Walgreens will reach out directly to your facility to coordinate the event.We do not have a way to confirm which facilities are currently enrolled in the Pharmacy Partnership for LTC Program.For questions related to the Pharmacy Partnership for LTC Program, visit their CDC webpage.

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ALF CLIA WaiverTo obtain a CLIA Waiver for COVID-19 point of contact testing using a rapid POC diagnostic testing device, complete Form CMS-116 (PDF) available on the CMS CLIA website or on the HHSC Health Care Facilities Regulation -Laboratories webpage found under the Application header. Email the form to the regional CLIA licensing group via the HHSC HCF Regulation –Laboratories webpage.

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ClarificationClarification of guidance due to surge:• In person tours• Recovered resident – a resident who

has recovered from COVID-19 according to the CDC’s criteria for the discontinuation of transmission based precautions.

• When to quarantine• Dining for unknown cohorts – due to

surge, no longer acceptable

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Facility ToursQ: Is it permissible to allow prospective residents and their family members into the facility to take a tour?A: We recommend that facility tours are conducted virtually. However, an ALF could provide a combination of virtual and in-person tours if appropriate transmission-based precautions are taken for each tour and the ALF has approved general visitation.Refer to the ALF FAQ for full response.

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COVID-19 Recovered Essential Caregivers

CDC guidance does not recommend testing those who previously tested positive for COVID-19 and have met Discontinuation of Transmission-Based Precautions for 90 days from:• symptom onset, or• First COVID-19 positive test (for those

who were asymptomatic)

For essential caregivers that meet this criteria, ALFs must document why they were not tested prior to their first visit or per the ALF’s testing strategy for essential caregivers.

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COVID-19 Recovered Essential Caregivers

Documentation should include:• When the essential care giver was

diagnosed or first had symptoms• The reason why the test was not

performed (refer to CDC guidance)• The results of their screening before

entry

After 3 months from the date of the first positive test (asymptomatic) or date of symptom onset (symptomatic cases) testing of the essential caregiver should resume per the ALF’s testing strategy.

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Facility Coordinated Group Activities

• Limited to COVID-19 negative and recovered residents

• May use volunteers or activity contractors

• Limited to 10 activity contractors in the facility

• Number of residents not limited (with physical distancing and infection control guidelines)

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Holiday Activities & Outings

Residents have the right to make an informed decision to leave the facility for a holiday activity.

ALFs are not allowed to have a holiday policy restricting residents from leaving the facility.

For example, an ALF can’t have a blanket policy like: “No residents may leave the facility for Christmas.”

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Holiday Activities & OutingsPer the COVID-19 Response Rule, residents who leave the facility must be placed in the ‘unknown COVID-19 status’ and quarantined upon return if they:• Have been gone overnight• Had exposure or close contact with a person

who is COVID-19 positive, or who was exhibiting symptoms of COVID-19 while awaiting test results

If a resident does not meet either of these conditions, they do not have to be quarantined upon return.

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Flu and COVID-19With both flu and COVID-19 circulating, getting a flu vaccine is more important than ever. Learn more about what you can do to protect yourself and your loved ones on the following sites:• FAQs: Flu and COVID-19• Getting a Flu Vaccine during the

COVID-19 Pandemic• Similarities and Differences between

Flu and COVID-19• PL 20-50 Influenza (Flu) Vaccine

Guidance during COVID-19

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Flu & COVID-19What You Need to Know - Webinar

In this webinar, we will review the:• Similarities and the differences

between flu and COVID-19.• Importance of getting a flu shot, and

how flu vaccination along with good infection control practices protect everyone.

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidance on administering flu vaccines this season amid the coronavirus pandemic.

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Flu & COVID-19What You Need to Know - Webinar

This webinar is appropriate for all provider types. No continuing education hours or units are available for this webinar. A certificate of attendance will be provided.• Dec. 10, 2020: 10 – 11 a.m.

Register for the COVID-19 webinar.• Dec. 10, 2020: 2 – 3 p.m.

Register for the COVID-19 webinar.• Dec. 21, 2020: 1 – 2 p.m.

Register for the COVID-19 webinar.• Dec. 22, 2020: 11 a.m. – noon

Register for the COVID-19 webinar.

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Managing the COVID-19 Crisis in Surging Counties

Upcoming webinar series will:• inform and prepare ALFs in a specific

area of Texas where COVID-19 is surging.

• review area specific data, community/area resources, and highlight specifics of the ALF COVID-19 Response Plan.

• discuss the importance of identifying the root cause of COVID-19 spread in a facility.

• share useful examples and tips that you can use in your response to the pandemic.

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Managing the COVID-19 Crisis in Surging Counties

Register for upcoming webinars:

• Bexar Co. and Surrounding AreasDec 14, 2020 10:00 a.m. Register here.

• Travis Co. and Surrounding AreasDec 15, 2020 10:00 a.m. Register here.

• El Paso Co. and Surrounding AreasDec 17, 2020 10:00 a.m. Register here.

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CMS/CDC Targeted COVID-19 Training for NF, ALF Providers

The following CMS/CDC COVID-19 trainings are available:• CMS/CDC Fundamentals of COVID-

19 Prevention for Management• CMS/CDC Fundamentals of COVID-

19 Prevention for Nursing Home Management - Bi-weekly Live Q&A Sessions

Note: Descriptions indicate trainings are geared toward NF staff, however, the key principles are also applicable to ALF staff.

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DSHS Training Video

DSHS Video on Long-term Care Facilities COVID-19 Infection Prevention and Control Now AvailableThe Department of State Health Services has published a recorded training for long-term care providers on COVID-19 precautions to take and how to accomplish them.View the video training.

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COVID-19 ResourcesAvailable resources and tools for ALFs:• COVID-19 Response Plan (3.5.1)• COVID-19 Emergency Rules

• §553.2001• §553.2003

• Frequently Asked Questions• ALF FAQ (Updated 11/30/2020)

• Provider Letters• Texas Division of Emergency

Management - interactive map for finding testing resources

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Provider Letters• PL 20-37 Reporting Guidance for

Long-Term Care Providers (Revised)

• PL 20-42 COVID-19 Response –Expansion of Reopening Visitation

• PL 20-46 Reporting Guidance for Long-Term Care Providers – Point-of-Care Antigen Testing (Revised)

• PL 20-48 Transferring COVID-19 Positive Residents

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Provider Letters• PL 20-49 Process to Request Free

COVID-19 Point of Care Antigen Test Kits (Revised)

• PL 20-50 Influenza (Flu) Vaccine Guidance during COVID-19

• PL 20-53 Guidance for Activities, Dining, and Volunteers

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Webinar Recording

Access a recording of last week’s ALF webinar:

ALF Provider COVID-19 Webinar with LTCR - WED, DEC 2, 2020, 11:00 AMhttps://attendee.gotowebinar.com/recording/3173332806135195656

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Gov Delivery

To sign-up for Alerts:

• Go to: https://service.govdelivery.com/accounts/TXHHSC/subscriber/new

• Enter your email address.

• Confirm your email address, select your delivery preference, and submit a password if you want one.

• Select your topics.

• When done click “Submit.”

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LTC OmbudsmanPatty DucayetState Long-term Care OmbudsmanTelework Phone: (737) 704-9075https://apps.hhs.texas.gov/news_info/ombudsman/

Statewide Intake for an LTC Ombudsman:Phone: (800) 252-2412 or Email: ltc.ombudsman@hhsc.state.tx.us

Facebook Live Events

Weekly Facebook Live Q&A for Families of LTC Residents:

Every Wednesday, 12:15 to 12:45

https://www.facebook.com/texasltcombudsman?fref=ts

FAQPolicy, Rules and Training

How to ContactJennifer Morrison, ManagerJennifer.morrison@hhs.texas.gov

Policy Rules and Training MailboxPolicyrulestraining@hhsc.state.tx.us

COVID-19 Pagehttps://hhs.texas.gov/services/health/coronavirus-covid-19

ALF Provider Portalhttps://hhs.texas.gov/doing-business-hhs/provider-portals/long-term-care-providers/assisted-living-facilities-alf

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Thank you!

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